Lompoc Unified School District

Each day, approximately 9,000 local students rely on Lompoc Unified School District for a quality education that prepares them for college and good jobs. LUSD’s 15 schools serve the Lompoc Valley, including the City of Lompoc and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Mission Hills, Vandenberg Village, Cebada Canyon, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Mesa Oaks. These include 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, an alternative education high school, and one site that includes an adult school career center, a community day school, and an independent study school.

Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) has made consistent efforts to enhance its high school graduation rate, leading to substantial growth over time. LUSD has received accolades for its innovative programs, fostering strong community partnerships, and prioritizing a positive and nurturing school environment. LUSD remains steadfast in its mission to deliver high-quality education that equips students for college, good jobs and prosperous futures. What is the condition of Lompoc USD school facilities? Most Lompoc schools were built in the 1960s or earlier, are over 60 years old. Most classrooms, labs and school facilities have not been upgraded in over 20 years. For example, thousands of students attend class in 136 portable classrooms that are decades old, are falling apart and most have structural damage or water leaks. It is expensive to keep repairing these aging and outdated portables and they need to be replaced with permanent classrooms. Older schools have hazardous materials like asbestos and lead that need to be removed for student health and safety. Most schools do not meet current health codes, building safety codes or provide full access for students with disabilities.

Yes, LUSD partnered with school facilities architects and engineers to develop a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan that identified the conditions and needs at every school campus in the district. The LUSD Master Plan includes detailed plans and cost estimates for completing needed repairs and upgrades at all schools. How is LUSD planning to upgrade aging school facilities? To ensure all local schools have safe and modern classrooms, labs and school facilities, the LUSD Board of Education has placed Measure M, a school facilities improvement bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot for local voters to consider. Funds from Measure M must only be used for repairing and upgrading LUSD schools. No funds may be used for administrator salaries and no funds may be taken by the State.  

To ensure all local schools have safe and modern classrooms, labs and school facilities, the LUSD Board of Education voted to place Measure M, a $160 million school facilities improvement bond measure, on the ballot that would cost the typical homeowner approximately $138 per year.

Yes, locally controlled funding from Measure M would be used to repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer lines, gas lines, and electrical systems. It would also fund the removal of hazardous materials like asbestos and lead in older school sites. Funds could also be used to upgrade older schools, so they meet current health codes, building safety codes and provide full access for students with disabilities.

Yes, locally controlled funding from Measure M would be used to provide modern classrooms, labs, career training facilities technology and equipment to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology. This will help ensure LUSD graduates are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades.

Yes, local funding from Measure M would be used to upgrade older schools to meet current health codes, building safety codes, earthquake safety standards, and improve access for students with disabilities. It would also improve student safety and campus security systems including security fencing, security cameras, intruder-protection systems, emergency communications systems,  smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers.

Measure M would require a clear system of fiscal accountability including a detailed project list indicating the only projects that may be funded by the measure, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee, containing no employees, board members, vendors, contractors, or consultants of the district, and annual independent financial and performance audits.

No. All funds must stay local and may only be used to upgrade classrooms and school facilities in LUSD. No funds may be taken away by the State or diverted to other school districts.

Yes. Funds from a local measure could be used to help LUSD compete for state matching funds that would otherwise go to other school districts.

Voters in LUSD have approved one school facilities bond since the schools were constructed in the 50s and 60s, Measure N 2002, over 20 years ago. Those funds were used as promised to complete upgrades and improvements to local schools. Read the Final Report from the 2002 Measure N Citizens Oversight Committee. However, many urgent repairs and upgrades are still needed. Classrooms and other facilities that were upgraded more than two decades ago have been used continuously by thousands of students since then and need additional repairs.

By state law, no exemptions may be provided for bond measures. However, the total cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value. The longer a home has been owned, the lower the assessed value because it is based on the original purchase price. Typically, older homeowners who have owned their homes the longest pay the least for bond measure.

Measure M will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. What level of support is required to pass a bond measure? At least 55% of those voters who cast a ballot on the measure must vote “Yes” in order for it to be approved.